Nail Clippers

ABSTRACT

Nail clippers comprise two legs extending in longitudinal direction, which are connected to one another with their one ends and the free ends of which form inner cutting edges, so as to cut through a fingernail or a toenail between both cutting edges. Both legs including the connecting area are of a metallic glass or an amorphous metal in one piece. Nail clippers also comprise two two-armed levers that cross one another and are articulated on one another at a crossing point. The free levers of one side form inner cutting edges at their ends so as to cut through a fingernail or toenail between both cutting edges, and wherein the free levers of the other side form handles. Both of the two-armed levers including the joint in each case are of a metallic glass or an amorphous metal in one piece.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. §§119 and 371, ofGerman patent application No. 10 2013 010 786.5, filed Jun. 28, 2013;the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention lies in the field of implements. The inventionrelates to nail clippers comprising two legs extending in longitudinaldirection, which are connected to one another with their one ends andthe free ends of which form inner cutting edges, so as to cut through afinger or toenail between both cutting edges. In the alternative, theinvention relates to nail clippers comprising two two-armed levers,which cross one another and which are articulated on one another at thecrossing point, wherein the free levers of one side form inner cuttingedges at their ends, so as to cut through a fingernail between bothcutting edges, and wherein the free levers of the other side formhandles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to produce nail clippers from two metal profiles, which arejoined at one end. In addition to the joining, several additionaloperations are also required, such as the production of ribbing at theouter handle surfaces. Further grinding operations are also necessary.

A need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art systems,designs, and processes as discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides nail clippers that overcome thehereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices andmethods of this general type and that provide such features with in asfew operating steps as possible.

According to the invention, both legs or arms, including the connectingarea or the joint, are of a metallic glass or an amorphous metal in onepiece.

The invention relates to nail clippers comprising two legs extending inlongitudinal direction, which are connected to one another with theirone ends and the free ends of which form inner cutting edges, so as tocut through a finger or toenail between both cutting edges. Both legsincluding the connecting area are of a metallic glass or an amorphousmetal in one piece. The invention further relates to nail clipperscomprising two two-armed levers, which cross one another and which arearticulated on one another at the crossing point. The free levers of oneside form inner cutting edges at their ends, so as to cut through afingernail or toenail between both cutting edges, and the free levers ofthe other side form handles, wherein both two-armed levers including thejoint in each case are of a metallic glass or an amorphous metal in onepiece.

In the case of such a one-piece production, the entire pair of nailclippers with all of its parts and areas is produced in a singleinjection molding process, so that it is not necessary to subsequentlyfasten the legs of the nail clippers to one another and extensivemachine finishing operations are no longer necessary.

With such an injection molding, the legs of the nail clippers and theconnection location have a final shape that makes subsequent profiling,ribbing, and ribs unnecessary and even embellishments and theapplication of a logo already occur with the first operating process.From this, a high degree of creative freedom is created.

The chosen material is highly elastic, free from corrosion and has ahigh durability and a low wear/low abrasion. The production effort isextremely low. A pleasing visual appearance can be attained because moredesign and freedom/leeway/variances are at hand, in particular, due tocertain designs of the surfaces, such as ergonomic shaping and/orribbing.

Due to the fact that a machine finishing is not required or is hardlyrequired, a significant amount of material is saved.

As a method for producing nail clippers of the above-mentioned type, itis preferable to inject the metallic glass or the amorphous metal into amold, the cavity (cavities) of which form both legs of the clippers andthe connecting area.

Preferably, the metallic glass or the amorphous metal of the nailclippers contains zirconium as base. Preferably, the individual parts ofthe nail clippers are produced in the injection molding process.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, inaccordance with the invention, nail clippers comprising two legsextending in a longitudinal direction and having first ends connected toone another at a connecting area and free ends opposite the first ends,the free ends forming inner cutting edges shaped to cut at least one ofa fingernail and a toenail therebetween, the two legs and the connectingarea being at least one of a one-piece metallic glass and a one-pieceamorphous metal.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the two legs andthe connecting area comprise a one-piece zirconium-based metallic glass.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the two legs andthe connecting area comprise a one-piece, injection-molded,zirconium-based metallic glass.

In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the two legs andthe connecting area comprise a one-piece zirconium-based amorphousmetal.

In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the two legsand the connecting area comprise a one-piece, injection-molded,zirconium-based amorphous metal.

In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the two legsand the connecting area are injected molded with the metallic glass byinjection into a mold having cavities that form all of the two legs andthe connecting area.

In accordance with yet a further feature of the invention, the two legsand the connecting area are injected molded with the amorphous metal byinjection into a mold having cavities that form all of the two legs andthe connecting area.

With the objects of the invention in view, there is also provided nailclippers comprising two two-armed levers crossing one another andarticulated on one another at a crossing point, wherein free levers of afirst side of the two-armed levers form inner cutting edges at firstends thereof, the cutting edges shaped to cut at least one of afingernail and a toenail therebetween, free levers of a opposite secondside of the two-armed levers forming handles, and both of the two-armedlevers including a joint and being at least one of a one-piece metallicglass and a one-piece amorphous metal.

In accordance with yet an added feature of the invention, the two legsand the joint comprise a one-piece zirconium-based metallic glass.

In accordance with yet an additional feature of the invention, the twolegs and the joint comprise a one-piece zirconium-based amorphous metal.

In accordance with again another feature of the invention, the two legsand the joint are injected molded with the metallic glass by injectioninto a mold having cavities that form all of the two legs and the joint.

In accordance with again a further feature of the invention, the twolegs and the joint are injected molded with the amorphous metal byinjection into a mold having cavities that form all of the two legs andthe joint.

With the objects of the invention in view, there is also provided amethod for producing nail clippers including the steps of forming aninjection mold with cavities in a shape of two legs extending in alongitudinal direction and having first ends connected to one another ata connecting area and free ends opposite the first ends, the free endsforming inner cutting edges shaped to cut at least one of a fingernailand a toenail therebetween, and injecting at least one of metallic glassand amorphous metal into the mold to form a one-piece nail clippershaving both of the two legs and the connecting area.

In accordance with again an added mode of the invention, the injectingstep is carried out with zirconium-based metallic glass to form the twolegs and the connecting area in one-piece.

In accordance with again an additional mode of the invention, theinjecting step is carried out with a zirconium-based amorphous metal toform the two legs and the connecting area in one-piece.

In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, the two legsand the connecting area form a one-piece nail clippers.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodiedin nail clippers, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to thedetails shown because various modifications and structural changes maybe made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention andwithin the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally,well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will notbe described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure therelevant details of the invention.

Additional advantages and other features characteristic of the presentinvention will be set forth in the detailed description that follows andmay be apparent from the detailed description or may be learned bypractice of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Still otheradvantages of the invention may be realized by any of theinstrumentalities, methods, or combinations particularly pointed out inthe claims.

Other features that are considered as characteristic for the inventionare set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodimentsof the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to beunderstood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of theinvention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specificstructural and functional details disclosed herein are not to beinterpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as arepresentative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art tovariously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriatelydetailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are notintended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandabledescription of the invention. While the specification concludes withclaims defining the features of the invention that are regarded asnovel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood froma consideration of the following description in conjunction with thedrawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separateviews, which are not true to scale, and which, together with thedetailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of thespecification, serve to illustrate further various embodiments and toexplain various principles and advantages all in accordance with thepresent invention. Advantages of embodiments of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following detailed description of theexemplary embodiments thereof, which description should be considered inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Two exemplary embodiments of the nail clippers according to theinvention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in moredetail below.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of a firstconfiguration of nail clippers; and

FIG. 2 is side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of a secondconfiguration nail clippers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases usedherein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide anunderstandable description of the invention. While the specificationconcludes with claims defining the features of the invention that areregarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be betterunderstood from a consideration of the following description inconjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numeralsare carried forward.

Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spiritor the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements ofexemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detailor will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of theinvention.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only and is not intended to belimiting. The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one ormore than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as twoor more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as atleast a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as usedherein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term“coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although notnecessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

Relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the likemay be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from anotherentity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actualsuch relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms“comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof are intendedto cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method,article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not includeonly those elements but may include other elements not expressly listedor inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An elementproceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints,preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

As used herein, the term “about” or “approximately” applies to allnumeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These termsgenerally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art wouldconsider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the samefunction or result). In many instances these terms may include numbersthat are rounded to the nearest significant figure.

Herein various embodiments of the present invention are described. Inthe different embodiments, features are similar. Therefore, to avoidredundancy, repetitive description of these similar features may not bemade in some circumstances. It shall be understood, however, thatdescription of a first-appearing feature applies to the later describedsimilar feature and each respective description, therefore, is to beincorporated therein without such repetition.

Described now are exemplary embodiments of the present invention.Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first,particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a first exemplary embodiment ofnail clippers encompassing a first leg 1 and a second leg 2. One endarea of each of the first and second legs 1, 2 is connected in one pieceand in a positive manner to a connecting area 3. The free ends 4 of thefirst and second legs 1, 2 form blade edges 5, 6. At least onenon-illustrated logo is embossed on the outer side of the connectingarea 3 but is not illustrated.

So that the two blade edges 5, 6 can be pressed against one another, abolt 9 protrudes from an inner side of the first leg 1 close to theblade edges 5, 6. The bolt 9 passes through an opening in the second leg2 and projects beyond the upper side of the second leg 2 to such anextent that it passes through an opening, in particular, a hole, of asingle-edge toggle lever 10, the free end of the toggle lever 10 beingable to be pressed by hand in a direction of the second leg 2 to movethe two blade edges 5, 6 against one another.

The entire pair of nail clippers is a metallic glass or is an amorphousmetal in one piece and is injected into an injection mold in aninjection molding tool. The one cavity (i.e., hollow space) of theinjection mold forms all of the parts of the clippers and, thus, bothlegs 1, 2 of the clippers and the connecting area 3, as well as formingall profiling, embellishments, ribbing, and ribs. From this, a machinefinishing of the tool is no longer required. Thus, the finished clippersare produced in a single production process from a material that ishighly elastic and free from corrosion while having a high durabilityand, thus, minimal wear.

The metallic glass or the amorphous metal has zirconium as basis.

The nail clippers according to FIG. 2 are of the same materials butdiffer from the nail clippers according to FIG. 1 in that the two legsare formed respectively by a two-armed lever 1, 2, which levers 1, 2cross one another and which are articulated on one another at a crossingpoint 11. Regions of the lever arm that form the blade edges (e.g., 5,6) are significantly shorter than the regions of the lever arm formingthe handles (e.g., 7, 8). On the outer sides, the legs 1, 2 respectivelyhave an outer handle surface 7, 8, which preferably includes ribbing orribs. A flexible tongue 12 attached to handle 7 is shaped to press thelevers 1, 2 into an open position as shown.

It is noted that various individual features of the inventive processesand systems may be described only in one exemplary embodiment herein.The particular choice for description herein with regard to a singleexemplary embodiment is not to be taken as a limitation that theparticular feature is only applicable to the embodiment in which it isdescribed. All features described herein are equally applicable to,additive, or interchangeable with any or all of the other exemplaryembodiments described herein and in any combination or grouping orarrangement. In particular, use of a single reference numeral herein toillustrate, define, or describe a particular feature does not mean thatthe feature cannot be associated or equated to another feature inanother drawing figure or description. Further, where two or morereference numerals are used in the figures or in the drawings, thisshould not be construed as being limited to only those embodiments orfeatures, they are equally applicable to similar features or not areference numeral is used or another reference numeral is omitted.

The phrase “at least one of A and B” is used herein and/or in thefollowing claims, where A and B are variables indicating a particularobject or attribute. When used, this phrase is intended to and is herebydefined as a choice of A or B or both A and B, which is similar to thephrase “and/or”. Where more than two variables are present in such aphrase, this phrase is hereby defined as including only one of thevariables, any one of the variables, any combination of any of thevariables, and all of the variables.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings illustrate theprinciples, exemplary embodiments, and modes of operation of theinvention. However, the invention should not be construed as beinglimited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additionalvariations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art and the above-described embodiments should beregarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it shouldbe appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention asdefined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Nail clippers, comprising: two legs extending ina longitudinal direction and having first ends connected to one anotherat a connecting area; and free ends opposite the first ends, the freeends forming inner cutting edges shaped to cut at least one of afingernail and a toenail therebetween, the two legs and the connectingarea being at least one of: a one-piece metallic glass; and a one-pieceamorphous metal.
 2. The nail clippers according to claim 1, wherein thetwo legs and the connecting area comprise a one-piece zirconium-basedmetallic glass.
 3. The nail clippers according to claim 1, wherein thetwo legs and the connecting area comprise a one-piece, injection-molded,zirconium-based metallic glass.
 4. The nail clippers according to claim1, wherein the two legs and the connecting area comprise a one-piecezirconium-based amorphous metal.
 5. The nail clippers according to claim1, wherein the two legs and the connecting area comprise a one-piece,injection-molded, zirconium-based amorphous metal.
 6. A method forproducing nail clippers according to claim 1, wherein the two legs andthe connecting area are injected molded with the metallic glass byinjection into a mold having cavities that form all of the two legs andthe connecting area.
 7. A method for producing nail clippers accordingto claim 1, wherein the two legs and the connecting area are injectedmolded with the amorphous metal by injection into a mold having cavitiesthat form all of the two legs and the connecting area.
 8. Nail clippers,comprising: two two-armed levers crossing one another and articulated onone another at a crossing point, wherein: free levers of a first side ofthe two-armed levers form inner cutting edges at first ends thereof, thecutting edges shaped to cut at least one of a fingernail and a toenailtherebetween; free levers of a opposite second side of the two-armedlevers forming handles; and both of the two-armed levers including ajoint and being at least one of: a one-piece metallic glass; and aone-piece amorphous metal.
 9. The nail clippers according to claim 8,wherein the two legs and the joint comprise a one-piece zirconium-basedmetallic glass.
 10. The nail clippers according to claim 8, wherein thetwo legs and the joint comprise a one-piece zirconium-based amorphousmetal.
 11. A method for producing nail clippers according to claim 8,wherein the two legs and the joint are injected molded with the metallicglass by injection into a mold having cavities that form all of the twolegs and the joint.
 12. A method for producing nail clippers accordingto claim 8, wherein the two legs and the joint are injected molded withthe amorphous metal by injection into a mold having cavities that formall of the two legs and the joint.
 13. A method for producing nailclippers, which comprises: forming an injection mold with cavities in ashape of two legs extending in a longitudinal direction and having:first ends connected to one another at a connecting area; and free endsopposite the first ends, the free ends forming inner cutting edgesshaped to cut at least one of a fingernail and a toenail therebetween;and injecting at least one of metallic glass and amorphous metal intothe mold to form a one-piece nail clippers having both of the two legsand the connecting area.
 14. The method according to claim 13, whichfurther comprises carrying out the injecting step with zirconium-basedmetallic glass to form the two legs and the connecting area inone-piece.
 15. The method according to claim 13, which further comprisescarrying out the injecting step with a zirconium-based amorphous metalto form the two legs and the connecting area in one-piece.
 16. The nailclippers according to claim 13, wherein the two legs and the connectingarea form a one-piece nail clippers.